bushing fiasco, need measurement help

[stoney126]

Ok before I decide to just blow my crewcab up, and boy let me tell im close to it. I need bushings for my rear springs. It is a 1989 gmc crewcab 1 ton solid axle 4x4. Now I burned out the rubber bushing the outer sleeve is still there, which I have been told to leave on by just about everybody.
My options for bushing are 1 3/4, 1 1/2, and 1 3/8. Now I measured the outer sleave bushing it measures Inside diameter 1 19/32 or 1 5/8 I cant seem to get it very precise. I am in serious need of help this lift is taking waaaaayyyy to freakin long and about to call it quits.
Now I have some bushing that are the wrong size at least I think so, it measures 1 11/16 which is to big for it

Seriously though any help would be greatly appreciated
My rear shackles measure in at 1 3/8 so at least i got that to go on.

 

[dremu]

Seem to remember that there is a metric bushing @ ~1.7" for the later truck like yours ... see the tech notes on

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/greasebushings.htm

HTH.

-- A

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Hey Robert. 1 11/16" is the metric bushings which will fit if you remove those sleeves. The only other choices at least from ORD is 1.5 and 1.75 which aren't even close to the metrics. Remove the sleeves and those should slide right in. Make sure all the spring eyes are the same some of the 56's have two different sizes on each end. DON'T buy the greaseable poly bushings from ORD for the metric size. They don't have the grooves in them for the grease to flow. I just went through all of this for my 56's too.

 

[1-ton]

the outer sleeve is still there, which I have been told to leave on by just about everybody.

From the link Dremu gave you:

Remember the outer sleeve is removed to use urethane.

Quote from MTBLAZER89

Remove the sleeves and those should slide right in.

From me: ROMOVE THE DAMN OUTER BUSHING SLEEVES!!!

 

[stoney126]

measured both eyes and there the same size. Now as far as removing the outer sleeve I have been told by my teacher, a machinest and The owner of a 4x4 shop not to remove those outer sleeves say ut F's things up.Why would they say that ? is there any reason for it? How do I remove em? Oh ya these are energy suspension if that matters.

 

[stoney126]

how do i remove the sleeves?

 

[broncoman6524]

a big ass hammer!!! sorry im no help and realy tired.

 

[1-ton]

how do i remove the sleeves?

I usualy take an air hammer with a chessel end, and drive it out with the chisel end riding along the gap where the wrap around of the leaf spring ends. You could do this with just a BFH hamer and a hand held chisel as well.

Another way to do it is if you can cave the sleeve inwards, until you are able to drive it out with a long punch.

 

[rdn2blazer]

I have the exact same truck and I ordered the 1.7 metric bushings, and yes remove your sleeves.

 

[sandawgk5]

They say not to remove them because they think you are putting stock bushings in. If you are using uerathane you MUST remove the sleeve to install the bushings. I cut mine with a sawzall by sliding the blade in the slit where the spring eye meets the flat of the spring. Then use a punch to fold the bushing in on itself.

Ira

 

[stoney126]

right on guys, many thanks.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Check out Jekbrown's 52 inch swap article. He has a few pics and a detailed writeup on how he romoved the bushings. They are a PITA..I broke a claw hammer doing mine

http://www.coloradok5.com/52inchspringswap.shtml